ABU DHABI // Hundreds of faith leaders are to head to the capital this weekend for the second annual Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies Conference.
Taking place from Sunday to Thursday, 350 religious leaders are expected to attend, the state news agency Wam reported.
During the first part of the forum, taking place over the first two days, entrepreneurs, technologists and artists will join with Muslim scholars to develop ideas for peace-building among Muslim populations.
During the last half of the programme, scholars will take part in workshops to promote peace and help to form a unified front against “the scourge of extremist ideologies, sectarianism, and terrorism that has afflicted the Muslim world for decades”, Wam reported.
Also up for discussion will be some of the most pressing issues currently facing humanity.
The forum is “an important event for the entire world. Its mission aims to lay the foundations of peace everywhere, and establish understanding among all peoples”, said Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, a Mauritanian scholar and president of the forum.
“It is an important initiative that aims to refute extremist ideologies by making provision for real understanding of Islam as a religion of wisdom, compassion, tolerance and patience, as outlined in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed,” he said.
Last year, more than 250 of the world’s leading Islamic scholars attended the forum.
Since it began last year, experts, academics and scholars who have taken part in the forum have travelled to countries such as Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco to meet government officials, NGOs and religious leaders to gain insight into ways to stop increasing violence in Africa.
Last December, Sheikh Abdullah took part in another forum in the capital, with spiritual leaders and scholars representing the world’s major religions gathering to unite against violent religious extremism.
During the two-day conference, leaders announced a 10-point action plan, to be implemented over three years, aimed at combating religious extremists who misinterpret religious text to advance their own agenda.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm